The Issues with Pro Athletes and Sports Gambling
In my first ever post, I warned about the issues of the popularity of sports gambling. With the recent controversy surrounding MLB star Shohei Ohtani, I think it is a good time to revisit that.
For those unaware, Ohtani has been tied to a $4.5 million betting scandal with his translator, Ippei Mizuhara. According to the ongoing investigation, it is believed that Mizuhara was making sports bets on an illegal book and receiving wire transfer loans from Ohtani to cover for his debts.
As of now it seems that Ohtani was not making or aware of the bets, however, if he did then he would surely receive a ban from the MLB. Back in 1989, former player and Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose was banned for life for betting on baseball.
This problem has happened all across sports too. NFL wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended the entire 2022 season for betting on various sports. Currently, the NBA is investigating Toronto Raptors Jontay Porter for allegedly skewing his stats based on sports book odds for player prop bets.
On one hand, you could blame the players for this issue. It is one of the most known rules that you can’t bet on sports as a player and they willingly broke that rule. However, I think there is a bigger issue that should be looked at.
How many athlete’s and sports leagues have you seen in the past year promoting sports books? Its a ton.
I find it rather confusing that players are banned from betting, yet are forced to promote these companies on jerseys. The NHL has already begun this, with the Washington Capitals having a Caesars Sportsbook patch on their jerseys.
Not only that, but the leagues also partner with sports books like DraftKings and even have live odds displayed on national tv broadcasts.
If these leagues are going to continue to partner with sports books, which I don’t see slowing down anytime soon, then they should be more lenient on players betting. Now, obviously they shouldn’t be able to bet on their own sport or themselves, but other sports that they do not play should be allowed. It is unfair for the leagues to promote betting and force players to promote them, but then punish players if they use them.
